With profound sadness and hearts filled with gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Angélica Álvarez Ornelas, who entered peacefully into eternal rest on July 31, 2026, at the age of 87, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on March 27, 1939, to the late Alfredo Ornelas and Maria Dolores Hernandez, Angélica was the second of eighteen children. From an early age, she embraced the responsibilities that came with being the oldest daughter, becoming a source of love, strength, and guidance for her brothers and sisters throughout her life. Her quiet strength, generous heart, and unwavering devotion to family would become the hallmarks of the beautiful life she lived.
She shared 58 fulfilling years of marriage with her beloved husband, the late Pablo Álvarez, building a home rooted in faith, unconditional love, sacrifice, and family. Together they raised seven children, creating a home where everyone was welcome, laughter filled the house, and love was felt in every corner.
A devout Catholic, Angélica’s faith was the foundation of everything she did. She taught her family that faith was not simply a belief, but a belief that must be reflected in every action. Through her example, she instilled the values of kindness, humility, forgiveness, compassion, hard work, and unconditional love. Her prayers for her family were constant, and she trusted that God would always provide.
Her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. She was the devoted and loving mother of Laura “Patty” Macias (Salvador), Norma Zaragoza (John), Lucy Peñaloza (Ernesto), Pablo Álvarez III (Gabriela), Angélica “Mari” Álvarez, Claudia Echevarría (Gerry), and Alfredo “Freddy” Álvarez. She was the cherished grandmother of Vanessa, Yesenia, Tatiana, Jonathan, Andrea, Tony, Erik, Andrés, Viviana, Jasmin, Anais, Alex, Evin, Eleni, CJ, Christian, Jordan, and Adrian, and the proud great-grandmother of Sofía, Ellanie, Emiliano, and Luciano.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pablo Álvarez (2020), her cherished grandson, Evin Falkiewicz Álvarez (2019), and many beloved family members who welcomed her into eternal life.
Angélica expressed her love through the works of her hands. She was an extraordinary cook whose meals brought family together around the table for countless celebrations, holidays, and everyday dinners. Cooking was one of her greatest gifts, and she lovingly taught each of her children and many of her grandchildren how to cook. The treasured family recipes she passed down continue to be lovingly prepared, preserving traditions that have been shared across generations.
She found great joy tending to her garden and lovingly instilled that passion in her children and many of her grandchildren. Yellow roses, her favorite flower, reflected the warmth, joy, beauty, and light she brought into the lives of everyone who knew her.
Gifted with remarkable creativity, Angélica also loved to sew and crochet. She lovingly made clothing for her children when they were young and spent countless hours creating beautiful handmade gifts for those she loved. Every stitch reflected her patience, generosity, and faithful servant’s heart. Whether she was preparing a favorite dish, tending her flowers, sewing a dress, crocheting a blanket, or quietly praying for those she loved, Angélica gave of herself completely. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone who entered her home feel welcome and deeply loved.
Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace, embraced by God’s infinite love, and reunited with those who have gone before her. Her legacy lives on in every lesson she taught, every prayer she offered, every family tradition she created, every treasured recipe lovingly prepared, every flower lovingly tended, every garment lovingly sewn, and in the generations who will forever carry her love in their hearts.
Her heart is at rest, but the love she gave, the lives she nurtured, and the faith she instilled will remain with us forever.
Visitation: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 4 to 8 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Ave., Justice, Illinois.
Funeral: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 9:45 a.m. Prayers and procession to begin from the funeral home to Saint Michael Church, 14327 Highland Avenue, Orland Park, Illinois, for 11 a.m. Mass.
Interment: Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, Illinois (private).